need to teach my Rats more, and Nick is one,” Able said simply. “We can confine our practice sails to the Solent, or perhaps down to Plymouth. Our goal remains training workhouse lads for the Royal Navy, in whatever capacity suits their skills. They are valuable in wartime, as you have expressed.”
“Consider it done.” The admiral opened the door, and his Marine guard snapped to attention. “We owe you a great debt.”
“We did our duty, sir.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Meridee Six had always thought of herself as a patient person. Even one of her sisters, in a less-then-diplomatic moment, had remarked that Meridee was a wise spinster to not let herself be caught in endless regret, but to wait patiently upon the hand of the Lord. Meridee had nothing in particular against the hand of the Lord, but this was Able Six she was dwelling upon, her lover, father of her son and the tiny baby making its presence known as Meridee puked regularly every morning. Maybe it was best not to think of that.
Her lot might have been easier, if Ben hadn’t been a genius. He was not a child to be distracted by a toy, or even a rout cake, although he did relish his meals. All she knew to do was cuddle him and try to answer his questions.
“Mama, where is Papa?”
“Son, he and the Rats and your great grandpapa are sailing somewhere near Spain.”
“Is Napoleon Bonaparte, that upstart, responsible for Papa’s absence?”
“I fear he is, Ben. Papa is keeping us safe from him.”
This brought a sigh from the boy on her lap. “I want Papa here.”
“My love, so do 1.”
Able had told her that sailing to Spain was usually a nine-day journey. Dropping off the count would be accomplished in a dark evening, and then there would be nine days back to Portsmouth. The Mercury had left Portsmouth with good winds on October 12, which would put the little yacht inshore by October 21, off the coast of Spain.
“Durable Six, you should have been home by All Hallows Eve,” Meridee growled at the calendar in the kitchen. “It is now November 6 and I won’t stand for it.”
All that declaration earned her this morning was raised eyebrows from Mrs. Perry, who had the effrontery to take her by the arm, sit her down at the kitchen table and hand her a mug of tea. When Meridee burst into noisy tears, Mrs. Perry had the further effrontery to hold her close and let her cry it out, all the while smoothing her hair, and humming low in her throat.
“I don’t mean to be a child about this,” Meridee said when the bout of tears ended. With a watery smile, she took the offered handkerchief. “You must be thoroughly tired of me, Mrs. Perry.”
“Hardly! I am worried, too,” her housekeeper said. “Don’t ever forget that I knew Able years before you did. I watched him turn into someone unique and special, someone finally given the…the privilege of believing in himself.” Mrs. Perry looked into that middle distance just beyond the walls of the kitchen. “Sailors come and go, but he was…is…the best of the lot.”
“I want him home,” Meridee said softly.
She kept herself busy all day, which was never hard. If only she didn’t keep stopping to listen for…what? Mrs. Perry was busy in the kitchen now with dinner. If she wanted a moment to herself, now was the time. She looked into the sitting room.
Through empty days without the reassurance that Able was just across the street, Junius Bolt proved to be a singular ally. Grace’s baby had become his grandchild, or as near as. Grace’s old retainer also adopted Ben, moving in smoothly and swiftly when the Count of Quintanar embraced Ben, set him down, and followed his son to sea. Junius knew what a little boy needed and provided books and blocks, but mainly a lap.
After some high-level conferencing in the kitchen, Junius also acquired Pegeen O’Malley to help entertain Ben, even though Mrs. Perry extracted a promise nearly written in blood that Pegeen would be hers for all meal preparation. Junius knew when to pick his fights.
Like most little fellows, genius or normal, Ben calmly accepted their attention as his due. “Pegeen is a useful sort,” he announced to his Mama one night, sounding as imperious as Prinny himself.
“I’m happy you feel that way,” Meridee said, holding in her smiles. “I hope you are useful to Pegeen.”
He nodded. “I let her stack blocks with me, even though